Pinellas: News and notes

By BOB PUTNAM and BRYAN BURNS, Times Staff Writers
Published January 17, 2008

Wells to be honored tonight

Admiral Farragut Academy will honor former boys basketball coach Mike Wells with a ceremony before tonight's game against Keswick Christian. The school will have a plaque on the gymnasium wall and will dedicate the floor in his name.

The popular coach, who brought the Blue Jackets glory for winning a state title in 2004, died in May. He was 53. Wells, who had malignant brain tumor, had a heart attack May 14, 2007, and was in a coma. His family took him off life support days later.

Wells coached at Keswick Christian for 15 seasons before coming to Admiral Farragut in 1999. His career record was 614-283.

"We picked this game because both schools were so much a part of his fabric," Admiral Farragut headmaster Bob Fine said.

Grab your clubs

All local high school senior golfers are invited to participate in the Pinellas County Sheriffs Police Athletic League Senior High School All-Star tournament, held Friday at Airco Golf Course in Clearwater.

The tournament format is stroke play and will begin at noon. For more information or to sign up, call East Lake golf coach Terry O'Reilly at 727 463-1720.

Three girls teams ranked

St. Petersburg Catholic remained at No. 3 in the Class 3A state poll, the highest ranking of any county team. Boca Ciega is eighth in 5A and Keswick Christian cracked the 2A top 10 at No. 8.